The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally withdrawn its plan to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu, bringing an abrupt end to months of intense political tension in the oil-rich state.
The decision was announced during a plenary session held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Lawmakers unanimously adopted a motion to “halt the impeachment process” against both the governor and his deputy, describing the move as a deliberate gesture of peace and full compliance with resolutions reached during high-level reconciliation meetings facilitated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja.
The Speaker of the House, who presided over the session, stated that the retreat was necessary “to prevent further breakdown of law and order, preserve democratic stability, and allow the state to focus on development and governance.” The motion passed without dissent, effectively closing the chapter on what had become one of the most protracted political crises in Rivers State since the return to democracy in 1999.
The development follows a marathon reconciliation process brokered personally by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa over several weeks. Sources close to the Presidency confirmed that multiple closed-door meetings involving Governor Fubara, former Governor Nyesom Wike (now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory), key lawmakers, and other major stakeholders were held to de-escalate the crisis.
At the heart of the rift was a long-standing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The conflict escalated dramatically earlier in 2025 when the Assembly—widely perceived to be loyal to Wike—served Governor Fubara with a notice of gross misconduct, triggering formal impeachment proceedings. The crisis paralyzed legislative business, led to the defection of several lawmakers, court battles over the status of the Assembly, and widespread fears of a breakdown of governance in the state.
The impeachment threat reached its peak when the House leadership declared seats of pro-Fubara lawmakers vacant and attempted to swear in replacements—an action later nullified by court rulings. Security concerns, including the burning of parts of the Assembly complex in late 2023 and recurring protests by rival factions, further heightened the volatility.
President Tinubu’s intervention, described by insiders as “direct, persistent, and decisive,” involved shuttle diplomacy and face-to-face engagements with all principal actors. The President reportedly impressed upon both camps the need to prioritize the state’s stability, economic development, and the welfare of Rivers people over personal or factional interests.
In a significant related move, Governor Fubara recently dissolved the State Executive Council (cabinet) as part of the broader peace agreement. The dissolution is widely interpreted as a concession allowing for the reconstitution of a more inclusive cabinet that accommodates various political interests, including those aligned with the former governor. A new cabinet list is expected to be unveiled in the coming days.
Political analysts view Thursday’s decision as a major victory for the Presidency’s conflict-resolution strategy in Rivers State. It also signals a potential de-escalation in what had become a proxy battle between two of the most influential figures in the state’s politics—Fubara and Wike—both of whom are key allies of the Tinubu administration at the federal level.
Governor Fubara, in a brief statement issued by his media office shortly after the Assembly’s decision, welcomed the development and thanked President Tinubu for his “fatherly intervention and wisdom.” He reiterated his commitment to inclusive governance, accelerated development, and peaceful coexistence in Rivers State.
The Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, equally expressed relief and gratitude, describing the outcome as “a victory for democracy, maturity, and the people of Rivers State.”
Stakeholders across party lines, civil society groups, and community leaders in the state have commended the resolution, urging all parties to sustain the peace and channel energy toward addressing pressing issues such as infrastructure decay, youth unemployment, environmental degradation from oil activities, and security challenges in riverine communities.
While the impeachment threat has been officially lifted, observers caution that underlying tensions—particularly the balance of power between the governor and his predecessor—may require ongoing dialogue and confidence-building measures to prevent future flare-ups.
With the Rivers State political temperature now lowered, attention shifts to the reconstitution of the cabinet, implementation of development projects, and preparations for local government elections later in the year.
The Rivers Assembly’s decision marks a significant turning point, restoring a degree of normalcy to governance in one of Nigeria’s most economically strategic states.
